you can do quite a bit through the dash display but yes, the laptop program gives you a better access and prospective view of what is going on during troubleshooting and also in programming and there are some other function/features that can be programmed more specifically.
So in short? Yes the dealer tech using a laptop has the advantage :o)
As for using a handheld device i do not think you have more advantage.
This is ONLY to be used to report flooding, spam, advertising and problematic (harassing, abusive or crude) posts.